Connacht have broken their losing streak at last and finally can head into a match on the back of a win. However the effort expended in getting that win, and the broken bodies left along the way could tell as Connacht head to Wales to face the Cardiff Blues.

 Connacht will look to send a very solid starting backrow combination into direct competition with Cardiff's equally experienced set of loose forwards, and it looks like it will be very envenly matched. The second row combo of McCarthy and Swift will be up against captain Tito and ex-New Zealand U-21 player Paterson, and again it look very evenly matched. In fact looking at the front rows, the packs overall have a similar level of experience and quality throughout.

Connacht are still without the skills of Eoin Griffin in the center of the park, but Tonetti and McSharry seem able deputies, with Vainikolo retaining his place on the wing. The half-back pairing is O'Connor alongside O'Donaghue, and they will need to be in top form to edge out their lively opposite numbers. Dave Moore and Matthew Jarvis may offer an alternative off the bench, with Henry taking the last position in the backs lineup.

The match looks like it may descend into an arm-wrestle, with two strong packs fighting it out. The Welsh however are always keen to run, and with some of the soft tries Connacht have given away this season out wide that will be a worry to Connacht fans. Connacht have broken their streak though, and will have learned a lot from their HEC participation. With a bit of luck one streak could turn into a different kind altogether.